Coach’s Corner — Medical Prep/Bike Prep

How Prepping for a Medical Procedure Is a Lot Like Getting Ready for a Big Ride

Our Coach’s Corner series is your chance to have your biggest cycling questions answered — right from longtime cycling coach Darryl MacKenzie. In these short Q&As, Coach Darryl speaks from his 35+ years of cycling and coaching experience to help you become a stronger, smarter cyclist.

Smart Cyclist:
Coach, I’m getting ready for a big surgery that’s keeping me off the bike. Is it true that preparing for a medical procedure is like preparing for a big cycling event?

Coach Darryl:
Sometimes life gets in the way of cycling, doesn’t it? I’ve had plenty of medical procedures over the years — and I’ve found that you’re right. Preparing for them is a lot like getting ready for a big ride. And the better you prepare, the sooner you’ll be back on the bike.

Here’s what you should do:
• Reduce your exercise level. Start tapering off four to six days before your procedure, and stop all exercise at least 48 hours before.
• Follow dietary protocols. For many procedures, it’s best to eat more carbs for an energy boost in the days leading up to the operation. Other procedures recommend more protein. Confirm with your physician and follow their advice, just as you would listen to your cycling coach before a big event.
• Be well hydrated. Most procedures go better if you have plenty of water in your system. In many cases, the anesthesiologist will require you to drink Gatorade before surgery. Gatorade helps to increase your comfort before the procedure and decrease your nausea afterward.
• Avoid alcohol. Adult beverages don’t count for hydration! Cut out booze at least a week before you go under.
• Rest up. The more rested you are, the better. But just as with a big ride, the most important thing is getting a good night’s sleep two nights before your procedure. That night’s rest will impact your readiness more than the night just before the operation.

Of course, preparing for a medical procedure is not exactly like getting ready for a cycling event. You may have to take medications and follow more precise diet procedures or prep rules. Again, your doctor is the boss — so be sure to follow their guidelines.

It’s also a good idea to let your medical team know if you have an athlete’s low resting heart rate . This is a very common condition among cyclists, and you don’t want your doctors caught unaware. The medical staff are likely to give you medication to get the heart rate higher during the procedure — even if the low bpm is perfectly normal for you. Before any minor surgery, let everyone know your normal resting heart rate.

Good luck going under! With the right prep, you’ll get through it easily and be ready to hit the road again before you know it.